Take a Break Before Editing and Improve Your Draft
You have done it. You ran the marathon and reached the finish line. Congratulations, you have finished your first draft. What now? Typically, after completing the first draft, writers begin editing. However, I will persuade you to take a break before editing your first draft.
Most writers hold their story dear to their hearts. It is a commitment they have put much effort into, as well as the sentiment of creating something from mere thoughts into something concrete. Therefore, many of them want to edit as soon as possible, which can be part of the issue.
In this article, we will walk through the reasons you should take a break before editing and what to do instead.
1. See Your Draft Clearly Again
When you have just finished your first draft, you are still in “writing mode.” Another way to say this is that you are still thinking about what to write next, not to mention all the gaps, awkward phrasing, spelling, and grammar mistakes you can ignore.
Taking a break is a way to take a step back and see the bigger picture. You come back with fresh eyes and notice all the details you would otherwise ignore, all the details that could elevate the story. When you are still in writing mode, small details like a spelling mistake or a chapter that dragged out for too long get overshadowed by all the ideas on what you could add to the narrative.
2. Separate Yourself from the Draft
As I mentioned, the first draft is personal. You are telling the story for the first time, and it is only for your eyes to see. The first draft involves starting too early or too late. It also involves forgotten character arcs, loose threads, and odd dialogue. Editing can feel like a personal attack on you as a writer, even if it is only you attempting to improve your first draft.
Taking a break helps you separate yourself from the writing. With a little distance, you will find it easier to cut out what does not work or change it. You will stop seeing it as your worth as a writer and more as a story. With that in mind, deleting parts of your story is not failure or lack of talent, but rather a step towards improvement.
3. Let New Ideas Develop
Like everything else in this world, your story needs time to grow. While you are on your break, you might realize how differently the story could have ended, or a character needs clearer motivation.
Those moments do not happen while you are staring at the screen. They happen while you are in the shower or when you are standing in line at the grocery store. With a break, you recharge and come back with a head full of ideas on how you can edit your story.
4. Protect Your Energy and Motivation
Writing a long-form story is not an easy job. Writing your first draft is exhausting. After all those late nights pouring yourself into your narrative, diving headfirst into editing is not the best idea. As a result, you risk burning out and losing motivation.
Take a break and come back well-rested with more excitement. Especially since finishing writing the first draft is a milestone worth celebrating, reward yourself and, more importantly, do not let your efforts go to waste because you have no motivation to finish editing.
When Should You Come Back to Your Draft?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The right amount of time to step away is not about counting days. The goal is to come back when the draft feels less familiar so you can read it with clearer eyes, as well as to come back well-rested.
Many writers worry that taking a break will cause them to lose momentum. Taking a break can be a positive thing if you want it to be. It can be a time to reflect on the thousands of words you have written and how you want to edit them. You should wait until you feel like you can do that.
Productive Ways to Use Your Break
Taking a break before editing does not mean doing nothing. It means do anything except editing your first draft.
Here are some ideas
- Read books both in the genre you are writing and outside your genre. You can even compare them to your first draft.
- Start a new project. It can be a new novel, a scene, or a poem, something to keep the creativity flowing.
- Learn more. Read articles, watch videos, listen to podcasts, and attend lectures about literature. Educate yourself on new techniques or get more inspiration. You can never be overeducated.
- Make time for hobbies unrelated to your work, such as cooking, drawing, and running. Not thinking of your first draft entirely is also acceptable.
A Simple Way to Start Editing Again
Coming back can be intimidating. Here is a simple process to ease yourself.
Reread without editing: Go back, not as a writer, but as a reader. You might come across a scene you have completely forgotten about.
Take notes: While you are rereading your story, take notes. Write down what you want to improve or what you think. You can use it as a tool later.
Set goals for revision: Instead of attempting to fix everything at once, break it up into smaller steps. You can first go over plot holes and character arcs. Then re-edit and try to add clues about the resolution; just keep editing like that until you feel finished.
Edit: Just do it. Begin editing and see how it goes from there. I also recommend making a copy each time you want to make a large edit, in case you do not like it and want to reverse it. With that in mind, I hope less is at stake if you accidentally edit something you did not want to edit.
Final Thoughts on Why You Should Take a Break Before Editing
Taking a break after finishing your first draft might feel like slowing down, but in reality, it speeds up your growth as a writer. You will come back recharged and ready for a new challenge.
It might not always feel like that. Working after a break can be intimidating, but do not worry. Every mistake is a learning experience. Go and take a break. After you feel well-rested, return and keep up the good work.
